We hope everyone has had a restful time with family and is excited for more celebration!

As this season comes to a close and we begin to look toward the New Year, we take time to both reflect on the past and plan for the future. What are you proud of in 2016? What do you hope to do differently?

For many, the start of a New Year presents new hope—a clean slate and a fresh perspective. But as Christians, we have a greater hope! The beauty of a relationship with Christ is that we don’t have to wait for a new year to receive new life. Every single day, we have an opportunity to awake with renewed minds, pure hearts and clean hands. In Isaiah 43:19, it says:

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

Our relationship with Christ provides a roadway where it can seem treacherous or uncertain; a river where at times we can feel stagnant or dry. He renews us, refreshes us and gives us a fresh perspective whenever we ask! In this new year, we have an opportunity to remember this and rely on Him rather than trusting ourselves to carry the weight of our own New Year’s resolutions. Through our relationship with Him, we transform our hearts—which leads to the transformation of our minds.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Take time the next few days to dream about what you imagine your relationship with God to be this year. What are some ways he is asking you to rely on Him and step out in faith in new ways? Or maybe He is asking you to draw into him by setting aside more time to spend in the Word and seeking knowledge about what He says.

Let’s step into 2017 with full confidence that this is going to be our best year yet!